FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION

DA-2021-01 

August 2, 2021

Subject: Federal Order for Importation of Live Dogs for Resale from Regions Where 

African Swine Fever Exists or is Reasonably Believed to Exist 

To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 

issuing this Federal Order to prevent the entry or introduction of African swine fever (ASF) into 

the United States in association with dogs imported for resale. The Federal Order, effective 

August 16, 2021, requires all dogs imported into the United States for resale from a region in 

which ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist to meet the import requirements outlined 

below. Importers must submit written documentation verifying completion of the requirements, 

including disposal of animal bedding, microchip identification, and post-entry bath. 

A list of regions where ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist is found here: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product-importinformation/animal-health-status-of-regions/. 

For more information regarding this Federal Order you may contact APHIS’ Staff Veterinary 

Medical Officer in Live Animal Imports, Dr. Mary Kate Anderson at 301-851-3300 x Option 2, 

or via email at VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@usda.gov. 

Rosemary B. Sifford

Deputy Administrator 

Veterinary Services 

Attachment: Federal Order
FEDERAL ORDER

Federal Order For Importation Of Live Dogs for Resale From Regions Where African Swine 

Fever Exists Or Is Reasonably Believed To Exist 

DA-2021-001 

August 2, 2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is 

issuing this Federal Order to prevent the entry or introduction of African swine fever (ASF) into 

the United States through the importation of live dogs for resale purposes from regions where 

ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist. A list of all such regions is found here: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product-importinformation/animal-health-status-of-regions/. 

This Federal Order is issued in accordance with the regulatory authority provided by the Animal 

Health Protection Act, as amended, 7 U.S.C. § 8301 et seq. Section 8303 authorizes the 

Secretary of Agriculture to prohibit or restrict the importation or entry of any animal, article, or 

means of conveyance, or use of any means of conveyance or facility, if the Secretary determines 

that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction into or dissemination 

within the United States of any pest or disease of livestock. This Federal Order only applies to 

live dogs imported for resale currently regulated under the Animal Welfare Act. 

ASF is a highly contagious disease of wild and domestic swine that can spread rapidly in swine 

populations with extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, if ASF were 

introduced into the United States, the impact for the domestic pork industry, which has a gross 

output of $23.4 billion annually, could be catastrophic. To forestall these possible dire 

consequences, APHIS monitors possible pathways of introduction of ASF into the United States. 

APHIS has determined that dogs imported from ASF-affected countries for resale purposes, 

along with their bedding, represent such a possible pathway for the introduction of disease. Dogs 

for resale include any transfer of ownership or control of an imported dog for more than de 

minimis consideration. Accordingly, this Federal Order imposes the following restrictions on the 

importation of dogs for resale from regions where ASF exists or is reasonably believed to exist.

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1. The U.S. importer must obtain an APHIS Animal Care (AC) import permit for dog(s)

intended for resale, and satisfy all import requirements therein, including age and 

vaccination requirements. For more information visit the AC web page 

(https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare/ct_awa_import_live_dogs_re

gulation). 

1.2. The dog(s) imported for resale must also meet all of the following APHIS Veterinary 

Services (VS) import requirements: 

1.2.1. The dog(s) and their shipping crate/container must be free of dirt, wood shavings, 

hay, straw, or any other organic/natural bedding material. 

1.2.2. All bedding that accompanies the dog(s) during transit must be properly disposed 

of at the post-entry point(s) of concentration in a way that prevents the introduction 

or spread of ASF. 
1.2.2.1. Disposal methods may include incineration; or disinfecting the bedding 

with an APHIS Approved Disinfectant, placing the bedding in a leakproof bag, 

sealing the bag, disinfecting the bag exterior with an APHIS Approved 

Disinfectant, inserting the disinfected bag into another leakproof bag, sealing 

that bag, disinfecting the bag exterior with the same disinfectant product, and 

disposing of the bag in a landfill in accordance with all State and local 

regulations. 

1.2.3. Dog(s) must have an International Standards Organization (ISO) compliant 

microchip implanted, and the microchip number must be verified immediately 

before the animal is bathed.

1.2.3.1. To certify a microchip as ISO compliant, the microchip must operate at a 

radio frequency of 134.2 kHz. ISO microchip numbers usually contain 15 

digits. 

1.2.4. Dog(s) must be bathed at the U.S. post-entry point(s) of concentration within 2 

calendar days of arrival at the U.S. port of entry, and completion of this requirement 

must be documented on the VS Dog Import Record. 

1.2.4.1. U.S. post-entry point(s) of concentration are the first location where 

shipments of imported dog(s) are directly moved to following arrival at the 

U.S. port of entry. 

2. CERTIFICATION

2.1. Both parts of the VS Dog Import Record must be completed and submitted for each

shipment of imported dog(s) intended for resale. 

2.1.1. Part 1 of the VS Dog Import Record must include the following information: 

2.1.1.1. The name, phone number, email, and address of the importer. 

2.1.1.2. The country of origin. 

2.1.1.3. The APHIS Animal Care import permit number. 

2.1.1.4. The number of dogs shipped. 

2.1.1.5. The U.S. port of entry.

2.1.1.6. The date of the dog(s)’ arrival in the United States.

2.1.1.7. The address(es) of the first U.S. post-entry point(s) of concentration. 

2.1.1.8. Importer certification and signature 

2.1.2. Part 2 of the VS Dog Import Record must include the following information:

2.1.2.1. The APHIS Animal Care import permit number. 

2.1.2.2. Each dog’s name (if applicable), microchip number, age, gender, breed, 

color/markings, and the date of bath completion. 

2.1.2.3. The name, phone number, email, and signature of the importer. 

2.1.2.4. The name, phone number, email and signature of the bather(s). 
3. ARRIVAL AT THE POST-ENTRY POINT OF CONCENTRATION

3.1. Upon arrival at the U.S. post-entry point(s) of concentration, all bedding that

accompanied the dog(s) during shipping must be properly disposed of per Section 1.2.2. 

above.

3.2. Each dog must have an ISO compliant microchip implanted, and the individual 

microchip number must be verified immediately before each animal is bathed. 

3.3. The dog(s) must be bathed at the U.S. post-entry point(s) of concentration within 2 

calendar days following entry into the United States. Completion of this requirement 

must be documented on the VS Dog Import Record and signed by the importer and 

bather(s). 

3.4. The VS Dog Import Record verifying the completion of all VS import requirements for 

every dog in the shipment must be submitted to APHIS within 2 business days following 

the dogs’ entry into the United States. 

3.5. VS may require, at its discretion, animal inspection at the post-entry point(s) of 

concentration in the United States to verify import requirements were met. 

Documented non-compliance with any of APHIS’ import requirements by an importer could 

result in the suspension or revocation of import permit issuance or other appropriate enforcement 

action based on the situation. 

For more information regarding this Federal Order you may contact APHIS’ Staff Veterinary 

Medical Officer in Live Animal Imports, Dr. Mary Kate Anderson at 301-851-3300 x Option 2, 

or via email at VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@usda.gov.